Jazz bassist Ray Brown studied piano as a kid in Pittsburgh.  There were so many pianists that he thought he'd be better off playing bass and that became his main ax. At 20 yrs old he took his bass to New York and got a gig in Dizzy Gillespie's band.  Ray Brown's understanding of the blues and bebop made him one of the best loved bassists of all time.  Enjoy the best of Ray Brown tonight on the 9 O'clock special.

  British bassist, composer and band leader, Dave Holland began on the ukelele, and found his way to the upright bass.  He studied with classical teachers but listened to Ray Brown and Charles Mingus to get his sound.  Hear the wonderful variety of bands created by Dave Holland Monday Night on the 9 O'clock Special. Jazz awakes at 8.

 Ray Drummond started on trumpet, flugelhorn and found the bass at 14. He was part of the LA scene and finally made his way to New York.   Today he is a renowned composer, band leader, producer and educator as well as one of the world's greatest bassists.  Hear him with Bobby Hutcherson, Houston Person and his own quartet tonight on the 9 O'clock Special. 

When it comes to bass, Ray Brown says it all, and with soul.  He started with Dizzy Gillespie's band where he worked with the Milt Jackson and where he met his wife, Ella Fitzgerald.  Ray Brown became a huge part of the LA music scene and wrote for tv and film, and he recorded with everyone from Frank Sinatra to Oscar Peterson. Hear the sound of Ray Brown and his many friends tonight on the 9 O'clock Special. 

British bassist Dave Holland who has been performing and recording for five decades, has lived and worked in the United States for 40 years and Holland has played with some of the greatest names in jazz. He has participated in several classic recordings with Miles Davis and Chick Corea.  He can play solo or create a unique sound with a full orchestra.  Hear the genius of bassist Dave Holland tonight on the 9 O'clock Special.

Bassist and composer Charlie Haden started his professional career as a child singing folk and country music with his family.  A tragedy in his life took  him from singing to the bass and ever since he has been making his bass sing.  Hear Haden on Beyond the Missouri Sky, with Pat Metheny, on American Dreams with Michael Brecker and with Melody Gardot on Sophisticated Ladies tonight on the 9 O'clock Special.